Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Κύριος Notes

Farther AlongTempted and tried we're oft made to wonderWhy it should be thus all the day longWhile there are others living about usNever molested though in the wrong

Farther along we'll know all about itFarther along we'll understand whyCheer up my brother live in the sunshineWe'll understand it all by and by

When death has come and taken our loved onesIt leaves our home so lonely and drearAnd then do we wonder why others prosperLiving so wicked year after year

When we see Jesus coming in gloryWhen he comes down from his home in the skyThen we shall meet him in that bright mansionWe'll understand it all by and by

Scripture Reflections Luke 16

19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

There eternal issues at stake in the every day things of life. Eternal issues in the way that we deal with poverty and the way that need is responded to. Lazarus outside the rich man's house is ignored. He is faceless, nameless, a non-person. His need is unnoticed, untended.

It is interesting that this rich man just does not get it...he finds himself in hell and he still thinks that Lazarus has nothing better to do than to help him out.

25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

So what is the point Lord? The point of the parable is that eternity is a place where destinies have been determined. So what is the application for today, Lord? What do I take with me to work today from this scripture? Lord Jesus you did come back from the dead and many still did not believe.

Everyone is important and has an eternal destiny. There are no beggars that you are not aware of and concerned about...there are no rich men who are beyond the need for grace. Belief and acceptance of the good news is a mysterious thing only possible by the grace of God. It is not based on income level, it is based on the simple yet difficult ability to accept my need and Your willingness to meet my need.

Lord Jesus I don't understand Your grace, but desire to live it out in this day that is going to begin in just a few hours. Help me to see need in all the forms that cross my path in this day.